Chapter 43: Giovanni hehe → Giovanni Doesn't Hehe
A Gym Leader's son — a senior executive in Team Rocket??!
Something like that…
Cynthia's brow creased deeply as she studied the sparse profile on the phone screen.
He'd set out from Viridian City last year on his first journey, entered the Indigo Conference for the first time, and demonstrated staggering power — steamrolling his way into the finals and then shutting out his opponent with ease.
Cynthia looked at the accompanying photo. It was unmistakably Mammon, holding the Indigo Conference championship trophy aloft.
Though, from the image at least, his face didn't exactly radiate the joy you'd expect from a newly crowned champion.
For a moment, the group fell silent.
"If I recall correctly, Giovanni is the strongest Gym Leader in Kanto."
Nanu offered this in his signature listless drawl.
"Life's full of surprises. Perhaps we should reach out to Kanto?" Hala murmured, floating the idea for the group to consider.
Last year's Indigo Conference champion. Son of a Kanto Gym Leader. Threw away a brilliant future to join a criminal syndicate.
If this story broke, it would be an absolute bombshell.
"The more pressing question is — Mammon is Giovanni's son. So what about Giovanni himself?" Olivia asked with a frown.
The logic was straightforward. Mammon was a Team Rocket Senior Executive. Could his father, Giovanni, also be part of Team Rocket?
Another silence fell over the group.
Giovanni was an official League Gym Leader. If he turned out to be a member of Team Rocket, that was no laughing matter.
"I don't think so. Mammon isn't stupid — he flaunted his identity without a shred of concern. Would he do that if it risked exposing Giovanni?"
Kukui shook his head, thinking it through.
It was simple rational analysis. It was just too implausible. Mammon had made zero effort to hide who he was.
If Giovanni really were part of Team Rocket, that kind of brazenness would blow his father's cover instantly.
"Let's notify the Kanto League regardless. And we should investigate why Mammon joined Team Rocket in the first place. A young man like that…"
Hala let out a heavy sigh. If they could find the root cause — if there were any way to get both Mammon and Caitlin to leave Team Rocket — that would be the best possible outcome.
Otherwise… what a waste.
They were both such exceptional young people. Mammon especially — Champion-tier in his very first year as a trainer. A once-in-a-generation prodigy.
"And Tapu Fini is still in his hands."
Hala's worry deepened. Without Tapu Fini, what would happen to Poni Island?
"Track them down. I'll assist you."
Cynthia addressed Kukui and the other three, then turned her gaze toward the distant sky. At some point, heavy clouds had swallowed the sun.
Her heart was still in turmoil.
Meanwhile, Mammon's group had Teleported back to his villa in a series of short jumps.
"Caitlin, your villa isn't safe anymore. Set up on Akala Island going forward." Mammon told her.
Cynthia's sudden appearance had kept him from achieving his actual objective this time.
But it didn't matter much. Plans could be adjusted.
"Understood." Caitlin nodded.
She grasped Mammon's reasoning. Cynthia would never let this go, and Caitlin's residence had been exposed long ago. Before, that hadn't mattered.
But now that Cynthia knew, she'd come looking.
"Or you could stay here with me for now. Kukui and the others won't make a move without being fully prepared."
Mammon offered a second option. Raw strength was the ultimate trump card.
Mammon's personal combat power was formidable. Even if his location were compromised, Kukui's side would need to plan meticulously before attempting anything.
Otherwise, not only would they fail to capture Mammon, they'd destroy surrounding buildings and potentially injure civilians in the process.
Kukui would never accept that kind of collateral damage. And the cherry on top — suffering all those consequences and still failing to catch Mammon would make them look like complete fools.
So even knowing where Mammon was, they wouldn't dare act rashly.
Cynthia was strong, certainly, but Mammon wasn't particularly worried about facing her and Kukui together. Lance the Dragon Master or Leon — those would give him real pause.
Of course, throw Steven into the mix on top of that — three Champion-tier trainers simultaneously — and even Mammon would start sweating.
But would Kukui actually swallow his pride and call in that much backup? Mammon had his doubts.
"I'll go to Akala. Mammon — I want to get stronger!"
Caitlin's gem-bright eyes blazed with resolve. Cynthia's appearance had lit a fire under her.
"Leave the Akala operations to me."
"Alright. Don't rush it, Caitlin. I'll help you. I've always believed in you — you're every bit as good as Cynthia."
Mammon studied her for a moment, then offered an encouraging smile, his voice warm.
"That's right — Lord Mammon is absolutely correct. Ms. Caitlin, you're exceptional. You're not inferior to anyone." Lance added his own words of support.
Having overheard the exchange between Caitlin and Cynthia, he understood a great deal more now.
"Thank you." Caitlin pressed her lips together and gave Lance a small nod of gratitude, her gaze softening as it settled on Mammon.
No matter what happened, having Mammon's support gave her an enormous sense of security.
Cynthia — I WILL catch up to you!
Mammon pulled out his phone. After a moment's thought, he turned to Caitlin.
"In a little while, come with me on a trip into Ultra Space. There aren't any Psychic-type Ultra Beasts, unfortunately, but you might find something else worth training."
"Ultra Beasts?"
Caitlin tilted her head, curious.
"They're a unique class of creatures found here in Alola. Supposedly they don't inhabit our world — and they're all extremely dangerous. The League once sent operatives to deal with them. Not only did the mission fail, but several people were killed." Lance explained.
"Although intelligence on Ultra Beasts is extremely limited. It's classified information — even Domino could only dig up that much."
Caitlin turned her inquisitive gaze to Mammon.
"Mm, Lance is right. But Ultra Beasts are technically still a category of Pokémon, and they're all exceptionally powerful. With proper training, a well-raised Ultra Beast can easily serve as a team's core battler or even its ace."
Mammon nodded. The only shame was that none of the standard Ultra Beasts were Psychic-type — otherwise they'd be a perfect fit for rounding out Caitlin's roster.
When the opportunity arose, he'd take Caitlin to Area Zero in Paldea.
Compared to Ultra Beasts, the Paradox Pokémon there — Iron Leaves, Iron Treads, Iron Jugulis — were all seriously powerful, with base stat totals that spoke for themselves.
"Alright. I'll follow your lead."
Caitlin's smile was elegant and reserved — though the words themselves were hardly what you'd expect from a highborn lady.
But that was how she felt. She trusted Mammon. If he said it was worth looking into, then it was.
Just then, Mammon's video call connected. Giovanni's mature features appeared on-screen, wearing a faint, contented smile.
"Yo, Dad."
"Mammon. What's up?"
Giovanni looked to be in a good mood. After all, Mammon had been in Alola for quite a while now, and this was the first video call he'd bothered to make.
He must miss me. Maybe I should take a trip out to Alola to visit the kid.
"So here's the thing, Dad. I got into a little scrap with the Alolan Island Kahunas today. Sinnoh Champion Cynthia happened to be there too. You should probably prepare on your end — the Kanto League will likely be reaching out to investigate you soon. Try not to blow your cover."
"???"
The smile on Giovanni's face froze solid.